Air Canada - a win for Brisbane

28 July 2015

Brisbane’s business travellers and the mining and energy sector have been given a boost this month with the announcement of the new Air Canada direct services between Vancouver and the Queensland capital.

The new three-times a week service to Vancouver from Brisbane will cut five hours from the trip for business travellers who currently have to fly via Sydney, or through Los Angeles.

The timing of the flights from June next year will facilitate international trade and investment between the energy and resources technology sectors in Canada and South East Queensland at a time when the global minerals and gas economies are likely to begin their next cyclical growth phase.

As one of the global capability hubs for this sector, Brisbane delivers its unique capabilities to Canada and beyond. Air Canada CEO Calin Rovinescu said the airline continued to strategically expand its international network.

“The new Brisbane route increases our presence in the Asia Pacific market at a time when trade and travel in the region and between North America is growing, with a further boost expected from the Trans-Pacific Partnership now under negotiation.

“The operating economics of the Dreamliner, together with the support from the Queensland Government and Brisbane Airport, have enabled us to launch the only year-round flights between Brisbane and Canada,” he said.

The direct flights between Brisbane and Vancouver will be with the company’s Boeing 787-8s and it’s only the second Australian destination serviced by the airline, which operates a daily service from Sydney.

Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Julieanne Alroe said the new service would be great for Brisbane travellers, with Canada’s famously rugged and beautiful landscape now a direct flight away.

“Attracting international airlines to new destinations is hugely competitive and we’re thrilled to welcome Air Canada, one of North America’s leading airlines, which has committed its flagship aircraft to Queensland,” Ms Alroe said.

“Canadian travellers are at an all-time high to Queensland and, with the strong corporate links between our state and Canada due to the resource sector, I’d like to thank all of our partners who have helped make this happen and we look forward to working with Air Canada to make this service a success.”

Brisbane, Australia, is a thriving multicultural city and successful host of the 2014 G20 Leaders Summit. A global hub in scientific innovation, mining and resources, technology, education, meetings and incentives and cultural attractions, Brisbane is committed to strengthening international trade and commerce.